Before a pregnancy, there's no clock.

• A check-up before you startACOG and ASRM recommend a pre-pregnancy visit: a look at your health, vaccinations, medications and any conditions, before a pregnancy begins. More →
• Folic acid, a month aheadThe US Preventive Services Task Force recommends 0.4–0.8 mg of folic acid daily, starting at least a month before conception and continuing into early pregnancy. More →
• Your medicines, vaccines and screeningGuidelines recommend reviewing all medications and supplements, checking immunity (for example to rubella and chickenpox), and offering screening for infections before pregnancy. More →

• Eat in a way that sustains youPre-pregnancy counseling includes diet and weight, without a prescribed ideal. Steady, varied meals are a good base; perfection isn't required. More →
• Move in ways you enjoyWHO recommends 150–300 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults. Movement you enjoy now is easier to keep through pregnancy. More →
• Alcohol, smoking and cannabisGuidelines recommend stopping alcohol, tobacco and cannabis when you're trying to conceive. Smoking lowers fertility in people of any sex. More →

• Your fertile windowIn a classic study, nearly all pregnancies came from sex in a six-day window ending on the day of ovulation. More →
• When to ask for helpASRM recommends a fertility evaluation after 12 months of trying under 35, after 6 months from 35, and sooner over 40 or with a known condition. More →

• Mixed feelings are normalMatrescence describes becoming a parent as a developmental transition. Hope, doubt and grief for the life you have now can all sit together. More →
• If you've lived with anxiety or depressionNICE recommends that people with a current or past mental health condition talk about it before a pregnancy, including any medication. More →
• Waiting is its own workMonth after month of hoping can wear you down. That's a real strain, not an overreaction. More →

• Talk about the life you imagineCouples who talk openly about expectations before a baby tend to cope better with the changes that follow. More →
• Who's in your circle?Parenting with or without a partner, a few people you can rely on make the first year lighter. More →

• Insurance and costsWhat's covered, and what isn't, depends on where you live and your insurance. Worth knowing before you need it. More →
• Work and leaveLeave rules differ by country and employer. Knowing yours helps you plan without pressure. More →
• Choosing your careMidwife, gynecologist, birth center or hospital, doula: knowing your options early gives you more choice later. More →

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